Walsh Building Koeman Partnership

Everton director of football Steve Walsh says it is vital he and boss Ronald Koeman are on the same page when it comes to transfers.

The January transfer window is getting ever closer and Walsh has been charged with landing the targets that Koeman wants but he says he needs to know the manager better in order to make sure players he suggests are the ones required.

He told Everton magazine: "I’m getting to know Ronald [Koeman] . He’s very driven, he’s very positive and he has high standards.

"He’s been a great player and understands what he wants. He knows systems and structures of play and knows how to get the best out of players.

"It’s forming that relationship and getting into his way of thinking in terms of what he wants in a player."

One of his first recommendations was the signature of Idrissa Gana Gueye who has been a great success early in the campaign.